POPE Francis arrived at a meeting yesterday with superiors general of women’s religious orders in a wheelchair, the first time he has used one publicly at the Vatican.
The 85-year-old Pope has been experiencing severe knee pain for months and told an Italian newspaper on May 3 that his doctor had advised rest and “injections” into the knee.
The Vatican has not clarified whether the injections would be cortisone, hyaluronic acid or another therapy typically used to treat joint pain or deterioration.
Pope Francis was wheeled to the meeting by his personal aid, Sandro Mariotti.
The women superiors were holding their plenary assembly in Rome May 2-6, focusing on the theme, “Embracing Vulnerability on the Synodal Journey.”
Pope Francis handed the UISG leaders his prepared text but responded to questions rather than reading the speech – the questions and answers have not been released.
The meeting was not the first time his knee has caused a media stir.
At the end of a meeting of Slovakian bishops last week, Pope Francis apologised for being unable to rise to greet guests.
“There is a problem, this knee doesn’t work,” he said.
“I have to obey the doctor, who told me not to walk.”
Pope Francis has said he is still ready to travel to Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the war in Ukraine.
